Vehicle covering appartus

ABSTRACT

The embodiments provide a vehicle covering apparatus and a vehicle cover. The vehicle covering apparatus includes a base, an upright member, an arm, an extension rod a coupler assembly and support line.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles are often parked and/or stored outside. Left unprotected andexposed to the weather and other outdoors conditions the interior of avehicle may age prematurely and the exterior finish may be damaged.Vehicle owners want to protect their vehicles from the direct sun light,inclement weather and/or the air borne contamination they may be exposedto while parked and/or stored outside.

Vehicle covers are available to protect a vehicle from these naturalelements. Generally these covers are difficult to deploy and/or remove.Such covers may be inconvenient, complicated, or difficult for oneperson to apply, and take too much effort to deploy. When not covering avehicle, a vehicle cover is typically stored. A vehicle cover is asizable item to store and the storage method and location areproblematic. These characteristics tend to cause vehicle owners that owna cover not to use the vehicle cover.

It is within this context that the embodiments arise.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a vehicle covering apparatus and avehicle cover. The present disclosure provides a vehicle coveringapparatus having a base, an upright member, an arm, an extension rod, acoupler assembly and support line. In another embodiment, a vehiclecovering apparatus that includes a base, a, foldable upright member, afoldable arm, a loop support, a support line and a cover securing deviceis provided. In another embodiment, the vehicle cover includes a patch,a connector, and pockets.

The present disclosure further provides a vehicle covering apparatuscomprising a base, an upright member coupled to the base. The apparatusincludes an arm having a first end and a second end with the first endof the arm coupled to the base. An extension rod having a first end anda second end is included with the first end of the extension rod forminga stop and the first end of the extension rod coupled to the second endof the arm. A coupler assembly is provided having a first end and asecond end with the first end of the coupler assembly movably mounted onthe extension rod and the second end of the coupler assembly configuredto be affixed to a cover. A support line is coupled to the arm through aforce adjusting device, where the support line is configured to positionthe cover between a first position and a second position. The apparatusincludes a cover securing device configured to secure the cover to theupright member when the cover is in the first position. In someembodiments, the base is configured to indicate a vehicle location fordeploying the cover. In some embodiments, the base includes parallelraised surfaces extending outward from the periphery of the base. Insome embodiments, the upright member is adjustable. In some embodiments,the upright member is rotatably coupled to the base. In someembodiments, the arm is coupled to the base through the upright member.In some embodiments, the angle of the arm relative to the upright memberis adjustable and the length of the arm is adjustable. In someembodiments, the vehicle covering apparatus further comprises a crankassembly for actuating the support line. In some embodiments the vehiclecover securing device is coupled to the vehicle cover and configured tosecure the vehicle cover to the upright member in the first position.

The present disclosure provides a vehicle covering apparatus including abase, a foldable upright member coupled to the base, and a foldable armhaving a first end and a second end. The first end of the foldable armis pivotably coupled to the foldable upright member. The apparatusincludes a loop support coupled to the second end of the foldable arm.The apparatus includes a support line configured to be coupled to acover, wherein the support line is coupled to the cover through the loopsupport. The support line is operable to position the cover between afirst position and a second position. The apparatus includes a coversecuring device configured to secure the cover to the foldable uprightmember when the cover is in the first position. In some embodiments, thefoldable upright member and the foldable arm are hinged. In someembodiments, the base is configured to indicate a vehicle location fordeploying the cover. In some embodiments, the base includes parallelraised surfaces extending outward from the periphery of the base. Insome embodiments, the upright member is rotatably coupled to the base.In some embodiments, the arm is coupled to the base through the uprightmember.

The present disclosure further provides a vehicle cover including apatch coupled to the center region of the cover, a connector having afirst end coupled to the patch, and a second end configured to attach toan apparatus coupler assembly. The cover includes a first pocketextending from a first side of the cover and a second pocket extendingfrom a second side of the cover. The first pocket and the second pocketare operable to accommodate a feature extending from a vehicle to becovered. The first pocket and the second pocket include visual markings,where the visual marking for the first pocket is different than thevisual marking for the second pocket. In some embodiments the vehiclecover further comprises a first hook having a visual marking matchingthe visual marking for the first pocket, where the first hook is affixedto an edge of the vehicle cover adjacent to a side of the vehicle coverhaving the first pocket and a second hook having a visual markingmatching the visual marking for the second pocket, where the second hookis affixed to an edge of the vehicle cover adjacent to a side of thevehicle cover having the second pocket. In some embodiments a firstcover securing device is disposed along a bottom edge of the vehiclecover, where the first cover securing device operable to resist liftingof the vehicle cover when the vehicle cover is in the second position.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a vehicle coveringapparatus with the cover in the second position, covering a vehicle.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a coupler assemblymovably mounted on an extension rod.

FIG. 2B illustrates an isometric projection view of an embodiment of acoupler assembly movably mounted on an extension rod.

FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of a base with parallel raisedsurfaces extending from the periphery of the base.

FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of a base with parallel raisedsurfaces on the surface of the base.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an embodiment of a vehicle covering apparatusin a first position, the stored position and in a second position withthe cover deployed.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle covering apparatus withthe support line configured to be controlled by a crank assembly.

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle covering apparatussuitable for use in locations where height may be limited. Theillustrated embodiment is in the first or stored position.

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle covering apparatussuitable for use in locations where height may be limited. Theillustrated embodiment is in the second or deployed position.

FIG. 7A-C illustrate a top view of a vehicle cover in the second ordeployed position and example coupling of a patch and the vehicle coverin some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures below illustrate a vehicle covering apparatus withembodiments of an automobile covering apparatus. It is understood thatthe embodiments can be used with any vehicles including but not limitedto cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, and motorcycles. In addition,the embodiments may be extended to any non-vehicle device that can becovered, such as furniture, grills, etc. It will be obvious, however, toone skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practicedwithout some or all of these specific details. In other instances,well-known operations have not been described in detail in order not tounnecessarily obscure the present embodiments.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a vehicle covering apparatusenables an owner to quickly, and easily, deploy, remove, and store avehicle cover. The vehicle covering apparatus has a base which isattached to an upright member. The upright member supports an attachedarm coupled to an extension rod. The arm and extension rod support andguide a cover during use. The extension rod provides a location for acoupler assembly to be movably mounted. The coupler assembly is affixedto a vehicle cover and during placement of a vehicle cover on a vehiclethe coupler assembly can move along the extension rod for proper coverplacement. The movement of the arm and the vehicle cover are controlledusing a support line, which is coupled to the arm through a forceadjusting device, e.g., a pulley. An operator, by adjusting the supportline, can quickly and easily cause the arm and vehicle cover to movebetween a stored position with the vehicle cover hanging from itsapproximate center and a deployed or in use position over the vehicle.When the vehicle cover is not deployed or in use the apparatus providesa place for the vehicle cover to be stored and secured to the uprightmember conveniently. In some embodiments the apparatus is collapsible sothat the apparatus and cover may fold to minimize the storage footprint.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle covering apparatus with thevehicle cover in the second position, covering a vehicle in accordancewith one embodiment. Base 101 is of dimensions and mass sufficient tosupport the apparatus and a vehicle cover during use in all positions.The base 101 can be made from a variety of materials including but notlimited to concrete, metal, or plastic. The base 101 may be of a solidconstruction or a hollow construction which can be filled with material,such as water or sand. Base 101 is coupled to upright member 102. Theupright member 102 is coupled to the base perpendicular to the uppersurface of the base 101 in one embodiment. The upright member 102 may bea solid monolithic piece or of tubular construction having foldablesections. An embodiment may include an upright member 102 which isadjustable in length from the base surface, and/or angle in relation tothe base surface. An upright member 102 having telescoping components isone such adjustable length embodiment. An upright member 102 including ahinged member is one such adjustable angle embodiment. The uprightmember 102 also may be rotatably coupled to the base in someembodiments. The upright member 102 provides a location for storing avehicle cover 107 when not in use and a location for attaching a vehiclecover securing device 110 to secure the vehicle cover when not in use.The upright member also provides a location for securing a forceadjusting device 109. The force adjusting device 109 could be, but isnot limited to, a pulley. The upright member 102 is long enough toprovide sufficient height of the apparatus for the deployment of avehicle cover 107 and the storage of a vehicle cover when the vehiclecover is not in use. A sufficient height of the apparatus for thedeployment of a vehicle cover 107 facilitates the movement of a vehiclecover from the stored position, a first position, to a position over thevehicle, a second position, for placement or deployment of a vehiclecover over a vehicle or other apparatus. A sufficient height of theapparatus for the storage of a vehicle cover 107 when not in use in thefirst position is a height to accommodate the vehicle cover with thevehicle cover kept an acceptable distance off the ground or off anindoor floor surface in some embodiments. The embodiment depicted inFIG. 4 illustrates an arm length and sufficient apparatus heightexceeding approximately one half of the vehicle cover length because theapparatus lifts the vehicle cover in the approximate center of thevehicle cover resulting in a hanging or stored length approximately onehalf the vehicle cover length. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 6Aillustrates an arm length and sufficient apparatus height exceedingapproximately one fourth of the vehicle cover length because the vehiclecover is stored in the first position draped or hanging through thesupport loop 603.

Referring back to FIG. 1, coupled to the base 101 is an arm 103 having afirst and second end with the first end coupled to the base 101. The arm103 can be flexible or rigid. FIG. 1 depicts a flexible embodiment. Thearm 103 can be made from a variety of materials including but notlimited to metal, plastic, fiberglass, wood and/or composite materialssimilar to those used in the manufacture of fishing rods. The arm 103supports the movement of a vehicle cover 107 between a stored position,position 1 and a deployed position, position 2, as illustrated in FIG.4. In the deployed position the vehicle cover 107 is covering a vehicleas depicted in FIG. 1, although the apparatus may be utilized to coverother items besides vehicles. The first end of the arm 103 is coupled tothe base 101 through the upright member 102 in some embodiments. FIG. 1illustrates the arm 103 directly coupled to the base 101 in thisembodiment. The arm 103 supports and guides the hanging storage,movement, and placement of the vehicle cover 107. The arm 103 is movedfrom an upright position when a vehicle cover 107 is stored to aposition over a vehicle for the placement and support of the vehiclecover during deployment. The second end of the arm 103 is coupled to thefirst end of an extension rod 104. The extension rod 104 is rigid insome embodiments. The extension rod 104 may be tubular or solid. Theextension rod's outer surface is configured to accommodate the movementof a coupler assembly 106 along the length of the extension rod 104. Amore detailed description of the configuration of the outer surface ofthe extension rod 104 and the mating surface of the first end of thecoupler assembly 106 follows in the description of FIG. 2A.

Returning to FIG. 1, the first end of the extension rod 104 forms a stopwhich prevents the travel of the coupler assembly 106 along the arm 103.The second end of the extension rod 104 may form a stop which preventsthe travel of the coupler assembly 106 off the second end of theextension rod 104. The stops may be any suitable element preventingmovement of extension rod 104 past the stop. A coupler assembly 106having a first end and a second end is movably mounted on the extensionrod 104. The first end of the coupler assembly 106 is movably mounted onthe extension rod 104. The second end is configured to be affixed to avehicle cover 107. The movement of the coupler assembly 106 along thelength of the extension rod 104 provides the needed flexibility in theplacement and location of the vehicle cover 107 in relation to avehicle. The movement of the arm 103 and coupler assembly 106 alongextension rod 104 is controlled by a support line 108 in someembodiments. The support line 108 is coupled to the arm 103 through theforce adjusting device 109 and is configured to position or to move thevehicle cover 107 between the first position, the stored positionsecured to the upright member 102 and the second position, the deployedposition covering a vehicle. The support line can be but is not limitedto a rope, cord, cable, or wire. From the first position an operator canincrease the available length of the support line 108 or let out thesupport line allowing the arm and vehicle cover to be moved into thesecond position covering a vehicle 107. An operator can then decreasethe available length of support line 108 or take in the support line108, remove the vehicle cover from the vehicle and move the vehiclecover back to the first position for storage.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a coupler assembly 106 movablymounted on an extension rod 104 in accordance with one embodiment. Thecoupler assembly moves along the length of the extension rod 104 whichhas a first and second end. The first end of the extension rod isconnected to the arm 103. The first end of the extension rod 104 isformed to create a stop 108 which prevents the coupler assembly frommoving on to the arm 103. The second end of the extension rod 104 mayalso form a stop which prevents the travel of the coupler assembly 106off the second end of the extension rod 104. The illustrated embodimentdepicts the first end of the coupler assembly 106 to be a wheel. Thesurface of the extension rod 104 and the mating surface of the first endof the coupler assembly may each be contoured to receive each other likea pulley wheel outside diameter may be contoured to receive a round ropeor cable thereby increasing the ease of movement of the coupler assembly106 along the length of the extension rod 104. It should be appreciatedthat additional embodiments could include coupler assemblies with firstends configured as sleeves or bushings capable of sliding along theextension rod 104. It should be appreciated that in some embodimentsthis could be accomplished without the rod, e.g., with extra rope. Inthis embodiment, the attachment point on the cover not be fixed inlocation relative the apparatus hence allowing for a degree offlexibility for the location of the vehicle to be covered relative theapparatus The second end of the coupler assembly is configured to beaffixed to a vehicle cover 107. FIG. 2A illustrates an embodimentincluding a hooked fastener with a spring release similar to the clipsfound in the manufacture of key chains and pet leashes. The desiredfeature of the second end of the coupler assembly is to provide areliable, easily operated means for affixing a vehicle cover to theapparatus, preferably requiring only the use of one hand to operate thesecond end of the coupler assembly 106 in some embodiments. FIG. 2Aillustrates a vehicle cover connector 702 connected to the hookedfastener. In this embodiment the vehicle cover connector 702 may besimilar to a hooked fastener illustrated in the second end of thecoupler assembly 106. The vehicle cover connector 702 provides areliable, easily operated means for affixing a vehicle cover to theapparatus, preferably requiring only the use of one hand to operate. Itshould be appreciated that with the use of two hands an operator canconnect a vehicle cover connector 702 to the hooked fastener on thesecond end of the coupler assembly 106. As mentioned above, the movementof the coupler assembly 106 along the length of the extension rod 104provides the flexibility in the placement and location of the vehiclecover 107 in relation to a vehicle. As the vehicle cover 107 is appliedto the vehicle the coupler assembly 106 is free to move along theextension rod above the center of the vehicle in some embodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates an isometric projection view of a coupler assemblymovably mounted on an extension rod 104. The illustrated embodimentdepicts the first end of the coupler assembly 106 configured to be awheel with an inside diameter surface profiled to accommodate theoutside diameter of the extension rod 104. In this embodiment, the wheelis concavely radiused with a radius slightly larger than the radius ofthe extension rod 104 to maximize the ease of movement of the couplerassembly 106 along the length of the extension rod 104.

FIG. 3A illustrates a base 301 which is configured to include parallelraised surfaces 302 extending outward from the periphery of the base301. The materials the raised surfaces 302 can be made from include butare not limited to metal, plastic and any material which can withstandregular vehicle traffic. The profile of the parallel raised surfaces 302can be but is not limited to round rods, channel, angle, formed tubingor bar. The space separating the parallel raised surfaces isapproximately the length of a tire print of a parked vehicle. Theparallel raised surfaces 302 are long enough to extend under thedriver's side front wheel in some embodiments. The driver can drive thevehicle onto and in between the parallel raised surfaces and uponsensing the discernible stop for the tire, stop the vehicle in theproper location for use of the vehicle covering apparatus and deploymentof the vehicle cover.

FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment with the parallel raised surfaces 302on the surface of the base 301. The base 301 and parallel raisedsurfaces 302 enhance the driver's ability to sense the vehicle's properlocation on the base 301 by providing discernible stops for the tire. Itshould be appreciated that an embodiment with only a base 301 whichextends under the vehicle tire and has no parallel raised surfaces 302also offers some sensory notice of the proper place to stop a vehicle touse the apparatus. It should be appreciated that a base 301 as depictedFIG. 3B extending under the vehicle tire also offers additionalanchoring of the apparatus while the vehicle is parked on the base 301.It should be appreciated that the park assist feature of the base is anoptional feature.

FIG. 4A illustrates the vehicle covering apparatus in first position,the stored position 401. In this position the arm and extension rod arein a vertical or upright position and the vehicle cover 107 is securedto the upright member by the vehicle cover securing device 403. Thevehicle cover securing device 403 could include but not be limited to astrap like an umbrella securing strap made of similar material as thevehicle cover 107, a hook similar to a curtain hook or a rope, etc. FIG.4B illustrates the vehicle covering apparatus in second position, withthe vehicle cover 107 deployed in the second position 402. It should beappreciated that base 101 of FIG. 4B is illustrated as detailed in FIG.1, while the base of FIG. 4A is illustrated as detailed in FIGS. 3A and3B.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment with the support line 108 configured tobe controlled by a crank assembly 501. The crank assembly depicted is amanual crank in this embodiment. The crank assembly 501 is meant to bean example and not meant to be a limiting feature as the crank assemblymay be any commercially available assembly, or an automated crankassembly in other embodiments. Further examples of alternativeembodiments could include but not be limited to alternative methods ofadjusting the support line 108 including a reel like device similar to afishing reel, a window blind adjustment device, a patio umbrella crankwith an automatic stopping feature or a nautical cleat securing thesupport line 108 at desired lengths or a rope that is pulled directlyand hooked at a point on the apparatus.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate an embodiment of a vehicle coveringapparatus suitable for use in locations where height may be limited. Anindoor storage environment in one such location. This embodimentutilizes a foldable upright member 601 which is coupled to a base. Thefoldable upright member 601 may be solid or tubular construction andmade from materials including but not limited to a metal or plastic. Theopposing end of the foldable upright member 601 is coupled to the firstend of a foldable arm 602. The foldable arm 602 may be of constructionand materials similar to those of the foldable upright member 601. Thefirst end of the foldable arm is pivotably coupled to the foldableupright member 601. This coupling could be a hinge in one embodiment.Additional embodiments could include but not be limited to the couplingbeing a ball and socket joint. The second end of the foldable arm 602 iscoupled to a loop support 603. The loop support 603 can be constructedof metal or plastic and have a diameter sufficient for passing a vehiclecover 107 through the support loop 603 for deployment and storage. Thesupport loop surfaces are smooth, continuous and the shape of thesupport loop is regular in radius to minimize the risk of the supportline 108, and or the vehicle cover 107 from snagging on the support loop603 during movement of the vehicle cover 107 between first and secondpositions. A support line 604 is configured to be coupled to the vehiclecover 107 through the loop support 603. The support line 604 is operableto position the vehicle cover between a first position when the vehiclecover 107 is secured by a vehicle cover securing device 605 asillustrated in FIG. 6A and a second position with the vehicle cover 107covering a vehicle as illustrated in FIG. 6B. From the second position,by adjusting the support line 604, the foldable arm 602 and the loopsupport 603 can be moved to a vertical position while drawing thevehicle cover through the support loop 603 causing the vehicle cover todrape over the support loop 603 in a compact form for storage. To deploythe vehicle cover 107 from the stored first position the support line604 is loosened so that the foldable arm 602 and the loop support 603move toward the vehicle causing the vehicle cover 107 to pass throughthe support loop 603 and be in position to cover the vehicle. Thisembodiment is suitable for use indoors or where height may be limitedbecause the use of the support loop 603 results in the vehicle cover 107being draped through the support loop creating a stored vehicle coverlength of approximately 25% of the overall length of the vehicle cover107. The shorter hanging stored length makes a shorter apparatuspossible. Storing the vehicle cover in this manner eliminates the usualinconvenience of unfolding and folding or unrolling and rolling avehicle cover before and after every use. The apparatus also stores thevehicle cover 107 in the immediate vicinity of its use. It should beappreciated that the embodiments enable deployment, removal and storageof the vehicle cover is rapid and simple.

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of a vehicle cover in the second ordeployed position covering a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment.Patch 701 is coupled to the center region of the vehicle cover. Patch701 can be made from a durable natural or synthetic material and may besimilar to the material of the vehicle cover 107. Patch 701 providesreinforcement of the vehicle cover to enable the repeated lifting,moving and lowering of the vehicle cover by the center region of thevehicle cover. In some embodiments patch 701 is stitched onto vehiclecover 107. In other embodiments patch 701 is adhered to a surface ofvehicle cover 107. Patch 701 could also include a loop to provide ameans for a connector to couple the patch and vehicle cover 107 to aconnector 702 or to a support line 108 as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and7C. The connector 702 has a first end coupled to the patch 701 and asecond end configured to attach to an apparatus coupler assembly 106. Inone embodiment the connector 702 could include a hooked fastener with aspring release similar to the clips found in the manufacture of keychains and pet leashes on both the first and second ends. The desiredcharacteristic of the connector is to provide a reliable, easilyoperated means for affixing a vehicle cover to the vehicle coveringapparatus. A first pocket 704A extends from a first side of the vehiclecover and a second pocket 704B extends from a second side of the vehiclecover. The first and second pockets 704A and B could be placed over thevehicle side mirrors. Pockets 704A and B may include visual markings andthe visual marking for the first pocket may be different than the visualmarking for the second pocket in some embodiments. The visual markingscould be different colors for the first and second pockets,respectively. The different visual markings assist in the orientationand placement of the vehicle cover when the vehicle cover is placed overthe vehicle. It should be appreciated that the pockets 704A and B areoptional and covers meant for other non-vehicle structures may or maynot include pockets accommodating shapes of the non-vehicle structures,depending on the shape of the non-vehicle structure.

In addition, in one embodiment a first hook 705A having a visual markingmatching the visual marking for the first pocket 704A. The first hook705A is affixed to an edge of the vehicle cover 107 adjacent to a sideof the cover having the first pocket 714A and a second hook 705B havinga visual marking, matching the visual marking for the second pocket704B. The second hook 705B is affixed to an edge of the vehicle cover107 adjacent to a side of the cover having the second pocket 704B. Insome embodiments, a first cover securing device may be affixed at abottom edge of the vehicle cover. For example, an elastic material maybe incorporated into portions of the bottom edge of the vehicle cover.The first cover securing device is operable to resist lifting of thevehicle cover when the vehicle cover is in the second position. Theelastic material prevents the wind from lifting the cover when the coveris disposed on the vehicle. It should be appreciated that the elasticmaterial is operable to resist lifting of the vehicle cover when thevehicle cover is in the second position. However, the resistance is suchthat the resistance can be overcome when lifting the vehicle cover 107off of the vehicle to secure the cover in the first position. A secondcover securing device 403 may be affixed to the cover and configured tosecure the cover to an upright member when the cover is in the firstposition in some embodiments as described above.

Although the method operations were described in a specific order, itshould be understood that other operations may be performed in betweendescribed operations, described operations may be adjusted so that theyoccur at slightly different times or the described operations may bedistributed in a system which allows the occurrence of the processingoperations at various intervals associated with the processing.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications can be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is notto be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified withinthe scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle covering apparatus comprising: a base;an upright member coupled to the base; an arm having a first end and asecond end with the first end of the arm coupled to the base; anextension rod having a first end and a second end with the first end ofthe extension rod forming a stop and the first end of the extension rodcoupled to the second end of the arm; a coupler assembly having a firstend and a second end with the first end of the coupler assembly movablymounted on the extension rod and the second end of the coupler assemblyconfigured to be affixed to a cover; a support line coupled to the armthrough a force adjusting device, the support line configured toposition the cover between a first position and a second position; and acover securing device configured to secure the cover to the uprightmember when the cover is in the first position.
 2. The vehicle coveringapparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to indicate avehicle location for deploying the cover.
 3. The vehicle coveringapparatus of claim 2, where in the base includes parallel raisedsurfaces extending outward from the periphery of the base.
 4. Thevehicle covering apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright member isadjustable.
 5. The vehicle covering apparatus of claim 1, wherein theupright member is rotatably coupled to the base.
 6. The vehicle coveringapparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm is coupled to the base through theupright member.
 7. The vehicle covering apparatus of claim 1, wherein anangle of the arm relative to the upright member is adjustable andwherein a length of the arm is adjustable.
 8. The vehicle coveringapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a crank assembly for actuatingthe support line.
 9. The vehicle covering apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe cover securing device is coupled to the cover and configured tosecure the cover to the upright member in the first position.
 10. Avehicle covering apparatus comprising: a base; a foldable upright membercoupled to the base; a foldable arm having a first end and a second end,wherein the first end of the foldable arm is pivotably coupled to thefoldable upright member; a loop support coupled to the second end of thefoldable arm; a support line configured to be coupled to a cover,wherein the support line is coupled to the cover through the loopsupport, wherein the support line is operable to position the coverbetween a first position and a second position; and a cover securingdevice configured to secure the cover to the foldable upright memberwhen the cover is in the first position.
 11. The vehicle coveringapparatus of claim 10, wherein the foldable upright member and thefoldable arm are hinged.
 12. The vehicle covering apparatus of claim 10,wherein the base is configured to indicate a vehicle location fordeploying the cover.
 13. The vehicle covering apparatus of claim 12,where in the base includes parallel raised surfaces extending outwardfrom the periphery of the base.
 14. The vehicle covering apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the upright member is rotatably coupled to the base.15. The vehicle covering apparatus of claim 10, wherein the arm iscoupled to the base through the upright member.
 16. The vehicle coveringapparatus of claim 10, further comprising a crank assembly for actuatingthe support line.
 17. A vehicle cover comprising: a patch coupled to acenter region of the cover; a connector having a first end coupled tothe patch, and a second end configured to attach to a vehicle coveringapparatus operable to move the vehicle cover between a first and asecond position; a first pocket extending from a first side of thecover; and a second pocket extending from a second side of the cover,wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are operable toaccommodate a feature extending from a vehicle to be covered, andwherein the first pocket and the second pocket include visual markings,the visual marking for the first pocket is different than the visualmarking for the second pocket.
 18. The vehicle cover of claim 17,further comprising: a first cover securing device disposed along abottom edge of the vehicle cover, the first cover securing deviceoperable to resist lifting of the vehicle cover when the vehicle coveris in the second position.
 19. The vehicle cover of claim 18, whereinthe first securing device is an elastic material disposed along thebottom edge.
 20. The vehicle cover of claim 18, further comprising: asecond cover securing device affixed to a surface of the cover, thesecond cover securing device configured to secure the vehicle cover toan upright member when the vehicle cover is in the first position.